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One clay her master's wife, her mistress, came to 

 where she stood. The mistress Icissed her on the 

 neck and wept. 



All this while, though Firefly did not know it, her 

 master was very ill. When at last he was able to 

 be moved he was taken home, for he was not 

 strong enough to go back to the war. 



Firefly hardly knew him when she saw him again, 

 he was so gaunt and white, and one sleeve was 

 empty and was pinned across his coat. 



After a while he grew strong again and was able to 

 ride about, but he held the bridle in his right hand 

 now. 



Firefly was so glad when she felt him upon her 

 back again that she curved her neck and pranced 

 proudly. 



" Good horse," said her master. He could not 

 pat her neck for his one hand held the bridle, but 



his tone was like a caress. " Except for you " 



Then his voice broke as he thought of his wife 

 and children, and how, but for Firefly, he would 

 have died upon that field of battle. 



If Firefly was loved and petted before you may 

 imagine how it was with her now. Even -when she 

 grew so old that she could no longer be used, there 



